Author Archives: Ben Hsu
KIDNEY, ANYONE? The last Mitsubishi LanEvo is up for auction
Tomorrow will mark the end of an era, as the last Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution goes on sale. After ten generations and 24 years of turbocharged, all-wheel-drive madness, this rally car for the road is sayonara-ing into the sunset.
VIDEO: Shihomi Hosoya test drives the Rocky Auto 3000GT
The Rocky Auto 3000GT is a work of modern art. A hand-crafted body draped over one of the finest drivetrains ever produced and screwed together by one of Japan’s top tuners, it’s an homage to a timeless blue chip Japanese classic.
NIHON LIFE: Japan proposes changes for easier expressway navigation by foreigners
Japan’s expressways are famously difficult to navigate. Most are named for the far-away places they head to and are difficult for non-native Japanese speakers to remember. That may all change, the Ministry of Transport is proposes an alphanumeric system to help us gaijin not get … Continue reading
NEWS: Bosozoku magazine Champ Road suspends publication
It was announced on September 5 in Japan that Champ Road, the last bosozoku tuning magazine, is suspending publication. The so-called “Bad Boy Bible” has been in print for 29 years, showcasing the bikes, cars, and fashion of Japan’s rebel youth. The November 2016 … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? Ridley Scott Super Bowl 300ZX
In 1990 Nissan debuted the Z32 with what was likely one of the most expensive car commercials ever commissioned at the time. They hired the most famous Hollywood sci-fi director in the world, Ridley Scott (of Blade Runner, Alien, and Black Rain fame), aired … Continue reading
VIDEO: The age old battle of Skyline vs Rotary
Skyline vs Rotary. It’s one of the oldest rivalries in Japanese motorsports, ever since Mazda snatched the Skyline’s widely expected 50th touring car victory in 1972. The folks at Best Motoring have recreated the battle, with tributes to the works Hakosuka GT-R and Savanna … Continue reading
JCCS Preview: Nissan 2017 GT-R NISMO debut, Matchbox Hakosuka giveaway
After a strong showing in 2015, Nissan will be back at the Japanese Classic Car Show this year in a big way. First off, they’ll be showing what is arguably the crowning jewel of its American collection, the BRE Datsun 510 raced by John … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged 510, bre, c10, datsun, fairlady, GT-R NISMO, Hakosuka, japanese classic car show, JCCS 2017, kgc10, nissan, patrol, r35, skyline, SPL213
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QotW: What’s your most prized JNC part?
If you have an old Japanese car, it’s not difficult to find yourself with a garage full of old Japanese parts, too. Even weird stuff like a 350mm Hitman steering wheel. What’s your most prized JNC part? What say you, dear reader? As … Continue reading
Happy National Dog Day from JNC
Wow. Such design. So convertible. Much JDM. Many happy.
VIDEO: The UK’s most famous Honda Civic restorer
“Mad about Honda” is the way one UK man describes his love for the early Civics, so much so that he’s built an entire community around the preservation of early UK-market examples.
NEWS: Miata from Louisiana flood rescue video will be restored for free
In a heartwarming story of generosity, heroism, and what love for a car can accomplish, a Miata seemingly ruined in the recent Louisiana flood will be brought back to life by enthusiasts.
QotW: What’s the best Japanese car name?
Yes, we all know about the Suzuki Every Joy Pop and the Hino Dolphin Dump, but we’re not talking about “oh look how weird and crazy those Japanese are” type car names today. We’re talking cool names that instantly evokes … Continue reading
NEWS: Mazda announces 1,000 Launch Edition MX-5 RF Miatas
There have been many limited edition Miatas. Here’s one more. Mazda has announced that the first 1,000 examples of the 2017 MX-5 RF will be exclusive Launch Edition models. As with the soft-top ND Miata Launch Edition, the RF will feature a few bits that you … Continue reading
MOTORSPORT: The hakosuka Skyline GT-R at its absolute peak
By the end of 1971 racing season, the Skyline GT-R was barreling towards its highly anticipated 50th victory in Japan’s hotly contested touring car races. The GT-R had enjoyed three years of domination but, as history knows, the planning for that much publicized 50th win would all … Continue reading
Posted in motorsport, Video
Tagged c10, capella, fuji gc, fuji speedway, gt-r, Hakosuka, kpgc10, kunimitsu takahashi, mazda, Motoharu Kurosawa, nissan, rx-2, skyline, Yoshimi Katayama
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QotW: Which JNC was the one that got away?
Life with cars is cruel as it is in dating. Sometimes, you just don’t know you how good you have it until it’s gone. Or, maybe those are the lucky ones, because they actually had some time with their soul … Continue reading
VIDEO: Behind the scenes at Toyota’s Calty design studio
We all know that cars are designed, but what is “design,” exactly? A new video released by Toyota aims to answer that question via a history and tour of their Calty design studio. Toyota was the first Japanese automaker to open … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged a40, calty, celica, fj cruiser, FT-1 Concept, lexus sc, supra, toyota
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Happy Mountain Day from JNC
Happy Mountain Day from JNC! If you’ve never heard of Mountain Day, a national holiday in Japan, don’t feel bad. Over a third of actual Japanese people have no idea it exists either. To be fair, it’s a new holiday — so new, … Continue reading
PIXELATED: A Datsun Cherry stars in the most realistic car simulator ever created
Forget Sega GT. Forget Forza. Forget Gran Turismo. Though we haven’t even played it yet, we’re beyond certain that the most realistic car simulator ever created is My Summer Car, a Finnish game where you restore an E10 Datsun Cherry one frustrating part at a time.
